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Artwork for Professor of Rock

Professor of Rock

Gamut Podcast Network
Rock Music
The Beatles
Led Zeppelin
Van Halen
Music Industry
Music History
1970s Music
MTV
Michael Jackson
Kiss
Songwriting
Heart
1980s Music
Pink Floyd
Electric Light Orchestra
Stuttering
Alice Cooper
Me and You and a Dog Named Boo
Bruce Springsteen
St. Elmo's Fire (man In Motion)

The ultimate rock music history podcast for fans of the greatest era of music. If you’ve ever wondered about the true stories behind your favorite songs, or wanted to hear directly from the legends who made them, Professor of Rock is your new go-to podcast. Hosted by music historian and superfan Adam Reader, this show brings the golden era of music back to life with exclusive interviews, behind-th... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes1636Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Music

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Artwork for Professor of Rock

Latest Episodes

Coming up… an interview with hard rock singer Mark Slaughter on his band, Slaughter's biggest hit: Fly to the Angels. It’s one of the most gut-wrenching songs of its time that came from very tragic circumstances. Mark had come off tour and called up... more

Some of rock’s greatest songs never make the album. Instead, they get buried in a vault and forgotten for decades. Today I’m going to unearth some of the greatest songs that should’ve been massive hits, but they were never released. It’s a goldmine, ... more

Today I have a new show for ya all. Ya know, sometimes the music industry can seem more like a blood sport than an art form. For every legendary band forged in brotherhood, there's a back-alley betrayal that left someone burning in the wreckage. On t... more

Tommy James was the leader of one of the most successful acts of the 60s, Tommy James and the Shondells. Together they had 14 Top 40 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 from 1965 to 1970. But it all came crashing down for Tommy when, at what ended up as ... more

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Recent Guests

Felix Cavaliere
Lead singer and co-writer of Groovin on the Rascals
The Rascals (Young Rascals)
Episode: The Story of The Rascals’ “Groovin’” and the Band’s Incredible Hit Streak
Benny Mardones
Singer of Into the Night
Musician
Episode: 1980’s Most Misunderstood Songs
Greg Phillinganes
Musician, played with Michael Jackson; musical director on Bad/Dangerous tours
Independent musician / Michael Jackson collaborator
Episode: The Untold Stories Behind Michael Jackson’s Biggest Hits and Collaborators
Paul McCartney
Member of The Beatles; collaborated with MJ on a duet
The Beatles / Michael Jackson collaboration
Episode: The Untold Stories Behind Michael Jackson’s Biggest Hits and Collaborators
Steve Lukather
Guitarist, Toto; worked on Thriller and other MJ projects
Toto
Episode: The Untold Stories Behind Michael Jackson’s Biggest Hits and Collaborators
David Pak
Member of Ambrosia; helped connect Leonard Bernstein with MJ
Ambrosia
Episode: The Untold Stories Behind Michael Jackson’s Biggest Hits and Collaborators
Leonard Bernstein
Conductor and composer; LA Phil performance with MJ in 1980s
LA Philharmonic
Episode: The Untold Stories Behind Michael Jackson’s Biggest Hits and Collaborators
Paul Shaffer
Musical director and longtime sidekick on David Letterman's shows
CBS/David Letterman era
Episode: Paul Shaffer’s Letterman Stories: Legendary Performances, Live TV Chaos, and Rock History
Ace Frehley
Space ace guitarist of Kiss, solo artist showcased in this episode
Kiss (guest)
Episode: How Ace Frehley Outsold Kiss With His Solo Record and Proved Everyone Wrong

Host

Adam Reader
Host of Professor of Rock; music historian with a focus on deep-dive stories and interviews with legends

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 221 ratings
  • Prof gets A+

    How do you get all your information? It’s amazing I’ve enjoyed the prof of rock for a while on YouTube now I get to enjoy him loud and proud in the car. 3 chords and the truth. If it’s to loud your to old !

    Here’s a show idea best 1st dance songs. Those songs that take you back to 7th, 8th grade all the way to your senior prom in the 80s. Ie. When in roam or I just died in your arms tonight. I think it would make a great show.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Um all hype
    United States2 months ago
  • Movie Soundtrack

    My favorite movie soundtrack is from Valley Girl. If you do a second edition, include that one

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ranger!!!
    United States2 months ago
  • Love the back stories

    Professor - your show is a welcome start to my day. It keeps me entertained while I walk my dog. I love the history and behind the scenes stories about songs and groups I grew up with…and I’m old! Thanks for a great show and I hope you stick around for a very long time to come!!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ralph The Green Realtor
    United States3 months ago
  • Great way to start the day

    I absolutely love this podcast. Listen to it every morning when I walk my dogs. I find myself stopping to forward episodes to friends I grew up with. Great diversity of topics and great insights into the stories behind the music. I’ve been trying to come up with my top 10 song list based on that episode. I’ve shared that with my son and my father and several friends. Keep up the great work.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Papa Bart 26
    United States4 months ago
  • Well done!

    Outstanding Podcast! Easy to listen to and so very informative.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    mrvvtbuilder
    United States5 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

A great mix of archival anecdotes and modern reflections on classic tracks.
Deep-dish music history with engaging storytelling and interviews.
A reliable source for behind-the-scenes stories and artist lore.
Consistently informative, with a nostalgic yet current take.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#63
United States/Music
Apple Podcasts
#133
Canada/Music
Apple Podcasts
#160
Australia/Music
Apple Podcasts
#76
Denmark/Music
Apple Podcasts
#80
Philippines/Music
Apple Podcasts
#155
Israel/Music

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

How Ace Frehley Outsold Kiss With His Solo Record and Proved Everyone Wrong
Q: Tell me about the moment you decided to do a solo album and what fired you up to prove them wrong.
Ace describes being challenged by Kiss's leadership and feeling inspired to prove he could create a strong solo record on his own, which led to the successful 1978 release and a broader impact on his career.
FROM THE VAULT: Perry Farrell on the Story Behind Jane’s Addiction’s Jane Says – An Alternative Rock Classic
Q: Tell us about Jane Says.
The track is tied to Jane Bainter and Farrell's fascination with the real Jane, blending personal storytelling with the intense energy of the LA scene; the song became a defining moment for Jane's Addiction and showcased Farrell's lyricism and the band's edge.
Foreigner’s “Cold as Ice”: Lou Gramm and Mick Jones on the Story Behind the Classic Hit
Q: Why did you decide to include Cold as Ice on the debut album despite concerns it might be too pop?
Jones and the band ultimately trusted the track and felt it showcased Foreigner's versatility, proving that they could blend pop sensibilities with rock edge, which helped it become a defining song for the group.
Foreigner’s “Cold as Ice”: Lou Gramm and Mick Jones on the Story Behind the Classic Hit
Q: What inspired Cold as Ice and how did the idea come together between you two?
The idea came from a shared writing session where Mick started on the piano, Lou joined in, and they quickly built most of the song together, with emotional heartbreak as a thematic backbone that informed the lyrics and mood.
Tony Hadley of Spandau Ballet Interview: The Story of “True”… and the Boy Band Hit That Copied It
Q: What was it in your life that kicked open the door to your mind and made you want to pursue music?
Hadley describes early influences from Sinatra and classic vocalists, plus his school band experiences and a decisive moment of hearing different styles that shaped his approach to singing and performance.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About Professor of Rock

What is Professor of Rock about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A deep-dive history show that explores the stories, context, and people behind classic rock and pop hits. Episodes mix behind-the-scenes production details, artist anecdotes, and cultural moments to reveal how enduring songs were crafted, released, and received. Listeners can expect expansive interviews, archival storytelling, and thoughtful analyses of iconic tracks and the eras that shaped them. A notable strength is the host's ability to connect minute studio details to bigger cultural narratives, making nostalgia feel current and informative.

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How many listeners does Professor of Rock get?

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How many subscribers and views does Professor of Rock have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Professor of Rock?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Professor of Rock:

1. Behind The Song: Classic Rock Chronicles
2. The Bob Lefsetz Podcast
3. Surely You Can't Be Serious Podcast
4. Rolling Stone All Access
5. Strong Songs

How many episodes of Professor of Rock are there?

Professor of Rock launched a year ago and published 1636 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Professor of Rock?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Professor of Rock?

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What guests have appeared on Professor of Rock?

Recent guests on Professor of Rock include:

1. Felix Cavaliere
2. Benny Mardones
3. Greg Phillinganes
4. Paul McCartney
5. Steve Lukather
6. David Pak
7. Leonard Bernstein
8. Paul Shaffer

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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